MARIE RIVIER, a woman for our times
MARIE RIVIER, a woman in love with Jesus Christ
Throughout her life, Marie Rivier was seduced by
Jesus. At a very young age, he burst into her life and took all the space. Seeing her live, people were unanimous in saying that it was Jesus who was the very essence of her life. She liked to remind her sisters: "May our lives be like an open Gospel where
people can read Jesus Christ".
Place in us, Lord, the burning love
that made her want to please you in all things.
WORD OF GOD: 1 Cor 1: 26 - 30 Consider your own call, not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
WORD OF GOD: Rule of Life
To follow Jesus Christ and to act according to his spirit was the rule of life that fashioned the heart and inspired the activity and teaching of our Foundress
REFLECTION
Oh, I beg you, my dear Daughters, remain strongly united to Jesus Christ; never separate yourselves from him; never lose sight of him. May we always find you clothed with his virtues. Only then will you be free of the fear that the enemies of your salvation will get close to you and do you harm. As long as you are with Jesus Christ, you will be secure and invincible. (Spiritual Writings, p. 20 - 21)
REFLECTION Therefore, my dear Daughters, stay with Jesus Christ, close to Jesus Christ continually; meditate on him and study him unceasingly; imprint him in your heart by conforming your thoughts, desires, affections, and actions to his. Have total and unshakable trust in him. ‌
REFLECTION Live in such a way that your hearts belong entirely to him and that he possesses them unconditionally so that he might say to each one of you: “I am at home here; this is my dwelling, my house and my temple; I do as I please in this heart; I take delight in being here, and I reign as Master.� (Spiritual Writings, p. 21)
We praise the Lord ‌.
God our Father, for the wonders you
have accomplished in your humble servant, Marie Rivier, we praise you.
God our Father, Marie Rivier was deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. In
Him she found the ultimate treasure, which became her light, her strength, her joy and her
paradise. With her, we praise you.
We pray to you, Lord ‌. God our Father, may Jesus Christ truly be the center of our lives. Strengthen the bonds of communion among us so that our communities, united in Jesus, may render your presence and the action of your Spirit visible in our world today, we pray.
Teach us to be an open Gospel where our world, thirsting for love, can read Jesus Christ. Intercede for us so that we might live the heritage you have given us: an ardent love for Jesus Christ, faith in the power of prayer, apostolic boldness and compassion for all suffering, in such a way that it continues to bear fruit today.
By the witness of our lives, may
we make Jesus Christ known and loved with audacity and zeal
to all those to whom we are sent. Amen.
MARIE RIVIER, woman of faith, woman of prayer,
woman of action, Woman-Apostle who proclaimed the Gospel at the risk of your life during the French Revolution, intercede for us.